New birthing suite lays dormant as hospital fails to find staff

Key points

• Gunnedah Hospital in New South Wales has not opened its new birthing suite due to a lack of staff. Hunter New England Local Health District says it cannot find enough GP obstetricians to support the service.
• Women in the area are being directed to give birth in Tamworth or Newcastle instead. The district offers relocation assistance and housing, additional leave, and access to training and education to attract staff.
• The National Association of Specialist Obstetricians and Gynaecologists says the challenge of recruiting GP obstetricians in regional areas is a national crisis.